Why did Jesus Have to Die?

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned that Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained so that they did not know him. And he said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name is Cleopas answered and said to him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have you not known the things which happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we were hoping that it was he who was going to redeem Israel […] Then he said to them, “O foolish ones,and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter in to his glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24: 13-27.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

After the annual Passover feast, millions of pilgrims were leaving Jerusalem to return to their homes. Two of Christ’s followers joined in the mass exodus; their hearts were broken and their minds filled with confusion; they like many, had believed Jesus to be the messiah; their hopes were shattered at the foot of the cross, and buried with Christ in his tomb. Supposing him to be dead, the two disciples debated the meaning of his brief existence. Suddenly Jesus Christ himself drew near to them in the guise of another pilgrim traveling along the road. The men could not comprehend why the messiah would need to suffer and die. Quoting the Old Testament scriptures, Jesus cited prophesies that foreordained his punishment and affliction. The cross was not an example of weakness, but rather, an illustration of strength; neither was his blood a symbol of death; for every drop that was shed, has come to represent God’s forgiveness. Jesus Christ took the punishment for sin upon himself; he died so that others could live.

In 1943, a ship named the USS Dorchester was sailing to Greenland as a part of a World War 2 navy convoy. The Dorchester was carrying 903 American soldiers and 4 chaplains. One evening, as the ship slumbered through the icy waters of the North Atlantic, the men were abruptly awakened by a loud explosion. A German U-boat torpedo had torn a hole in the bow of the vessel. All of the men immediately appeared on deck. The four chaplains began distributing the life vests to the soldiers as they abandoned the sinking ship. Within a matter of minutes, they ran out of vests. One of the chaplains bravely removed his vest and gave it to a soldier; the other three chaplains followed his example; these brave men then locked arms and began to sing and pray before drowning in the frigid waters. They chose to die so that others could live.

The disciples did not initially understand why Jesus Christ had to die. He died, because the punishment for sin had to be administered; and the punishment for sin is death. He perished in our stead. He embraced agony and suffering so that we could inherit eternal life. He took our place because he loved us. Return that love today by embracing him. Thank him for his sacrifice and honor him for his courage; you are only alive today, because he was willing to die for you.

“Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you and praise you for receiving our punishment. We understand that it was necessary for you to have suffered for our sins. You loved us when no one else could. Because of your sacrifice we have eternal life. May we never forget what You have done; may we always remain grateful; and may we continually serve You and worthily magnify Your Holy name. We love You Jesus, we thank You, and we praise You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.